At a Glance
- Evelyn Leyva Etress, 40, faces reckless manslaughter and aggravated child abuse charges after her 2-year-old son, Noah, died from a gunshot wound to the head.
- Investigators say Etress left a handgun on her dresser the night before the shooting while multiple children were in the home.
- The Blount County Sheriff’s Office calls the shooting accidental; Etress was released on drug-related charges while the homicide case continues.
Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the lethal risk unsecured firearms pose to children and the legal consequences parents can face when a child gains access to a weapon.
An Alabama mother has been charged with reckless manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after her 2-year-old son was found with a fatal gunshot wound in their Blount County home, authorities announced Friday, Jan. 9.
Ethan R. Coleman reported that deputies responding to the residence around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, discovered Noah suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. First responders attempted lifesaving measures before transporting the toddler to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Charges Filed
Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said Evelyn Leyva Etress, 40, admitted to investigators that she had left a handgun on her dresser the previous night. Court records obtained by AL.com state Etress told authorities she had stepped away to make tea, leaving Noah and two siblings alone in a bedroom. She reported hearing a loud noise, returning to find two children running from a closet where Noah lay near the firearm.
Sheriff Mark Moon told reporters the shooting appears accidental. Investigators recovered multiple firearms inside the home. The other children present were placed in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, according to WVTM 13.
Prosecutors have not disclosed who fired the weapon, only confirming that the wound was not self-inflicted.
Ongoing Investigation
Etress was initially held on drug-related charges in addition to the homicide count. She was released from custody on Saturday, Jan. 10, per WVTM 13. It is unclear whether she has entered a plea or retained legal counsel.
Sheriff Moon emphasized that the investigation remains active and urged parents to secure firearms in homes with children.
District Attorney Casey warned, “When a gun is left out, a child doesn’t see danger, they see something familiar. And that misunderstanding can turn into tragedy in seconds.”
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
